Joomla Software solutions Template

Seanad Order of Business, Tuesday 25 October 2011

Senator Mark Daly: I support the proposal to amend the Order of Business. Last week we discussed credit unions, but I ask the Leader to arrange another such debate in the light of letters sent to the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority in 2004. At the time Mr. John Mahony of Rathmore Credit Union warned the regulator that the granting of pre-approved bank loans to release equity and the writing to customers would result in the setting up of a tribunal ten years hence to examine how all of this had come about.

Senator Maurice Cummins: What did the Senator do about it?

Senator Mark Daly: That leads me to the interesting intervention made by our learned colleagues, the former Attorneys General. I will be supporting the referendum on Thursday because I believe that, like other parliaments, we should have powers to investigate. We should have confidence in ourselves to investigate those who have done wrong, the vested interests.

Senator Ivana Bacik: That is precisely the point.

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Mark Daly to continue, without interruption, please.

Senator Mark Daly: I will take three of those involved in making that statement. Mr. Peter Sutherland, in the DIRT inquiry-----

An Cathaoirleach: We cannot discuss individuals on the Order of Business.

Senator Mark Daly: Okay, I will talk about them in general terms. One of them happened to be involved in the DIRT inquiry carried out by the Houses-----

An Cathaoirleach: There is a proposal before the House to amend the Order of Business. The Senator is either supporting that proposal or he is not. He can make these points in the debate.

Senator Mark Daly: I am speaking in support of the proposal made. The person concerned was criticised in the last inquiry conducted by the Houses; it is no wonder, therefore, that he does not want to see powers being granted which could be used to bring him before them again.

An Cathaoirleach: We are not discussing personalities. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: Will the Leader ask the Attorney General to come before the House? We have the power to do this. I have already asked for him to attend under Standing Order 56 on a different issue. Other individuals signed the letter to the newspaper.

Senator Rónán Mullen: Is the Senator going to cast aspersions on all eight of them? Is that the way this issue will be fought out? That is the very reason we should not have parliamentary inquiries, if politicians behave like the Senator.

An Cathaoirleach: Does Senator Mark Daly have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: Senator Rónán Mullen does not have the confidence to carry out inquiries on behalf of the public, other than people at bar counters who have a vested interest in this issue.

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: I am asking for an amendment to the Order of Business.

An Cathaoirleach: An amendment has been proposed to it. Does the Senator have a second amendment to propose?

Senator Mark Daly: I am supporting the amendment proposed because once again there are vested interests having another go.

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: They are using the trojan horse, saying the Oireachtas would have too much power and that as a result the people should not support the proposed amendment to the Constitution.

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is completely out of order.

Senator Mark Daly: What is proposed is done in America, England and elsewhere, yet-----

An Cathaoirleach: I call Senator Conway. I ask Senator Daly to please resume his seat.

Senator Mark Daly: Mark my words - Mr. Dermot Gleeson who was chairman of AIB will appear before an Oireachtas inquiry, as he should.

Senator Martin Conway: I endorse everything our colleague Senator Mark Daly said. I have a serious problem with the manner in which the Referendum Commission has conducted itself throughout the campaign. It is publicly funded to run a proper campaign, but its advertisements have been pathetic in the extreme.